League

Batley
Spectators: 6726 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1726, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Abderrahim Belgacem started the match with the kick off. When Middleton's Abderrahim Belgacem in the 3rd minute got a chance for a shot 3rd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Batley United's goalie prevented a goal. In the 5th minute Abderrahim Belgacem shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Nizar Bachraoui saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. If Salah Ragued had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 6th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Salah Karray struck a weak shot in the 8th minute. Ali Gharbi didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Batley United. After a defensive mix-up in Batley United's zone, Salah Ragued stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Nizar Bachraoui came out of the goal and Salah Ragued tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Nizar Bachraoui showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Abderrahim Belgacem, who was totally free with the ball in the 19th minute. In the 23rd minute, Ismail Ali Bourguiba hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 26 minutes into the match, Batley United's goal looked a bit too open when Abderrahim Belgacem came free, but Nizar Bachraoui reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Nizar Bachraoui showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Adel Sellami in the 29th minute of the match. Nizar Bachraoui stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Salah Belhaj El Ouaer's shot from short distance in the 32nd minute. 34 minutes into the game, Abderrahim Belgacem was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Middleton's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Batley United the free kick. Abderrahim Belgacem hit a great freekick 34 minutes into the match. In the 36th minute, Batley United's Habib Gharbi ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Ali Gharbi. Ali Gharbi yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 1-0. If Abderrahim Belgacem had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 45th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Af the end of the first half the score was 1-0. The first half had gone as expected for the home team.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Habib Gharbi made a kick off. Salah Ragued fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 52nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Nizar Bachraoui having to interfere. Ismail Ali Bourguiba's late challenge caught a Middleton's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Ismail Ali Bourguiba helped the player get up and apologised. After a rather tough play, Batley United's Ismail Ali Bourguiba got a free kick in the 58th minute. After having played for 59 minutes, Salah Ragued managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Middleton's supporters crossed their fingers, but Salah Ragued was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. An unexpectedly hard shot by Habib Gharbi in the 64th minute of play forced Middleton's goalkeeper Ali Gharbi to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Habib Gharbi received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 68th minute. Ali Gharbi tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 72 minutes into the game, Salah Belhaj El Ouaer was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Middleton's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Batley United the free kick. After a rather tough play, Middleton's Salah Belhaj El Ouaer got a free kick in the 72nd minute. Salah Karray recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 75th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. In the 79th minute of the match Adel Diwa sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Ali Gharbi skillfully saved the ball. Ismail Ali Bourguiba received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 85th minute. Ali Gharbi tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Batley United's Salah Karray got a good chance for a goal in the 95th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Fatah Dermech during the 96th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After 96 played minutes Middleton got a freekick which was hit by Fatah Dermech.